From the directory

Things to do

Things to do in Tamarindo: a local's shortlist

Tamarindo packs a lot into a small town: a beginner-friendly surf break, sunset catamaran sails, offshore sportfishing, and leatherback turtles nesting a beach away. Here is what is worth your time, and the verified operators who run it.

Tamarindo Things to do

Things to do in Playas del Coco: dive, fish, and sail the Papagayo

Coco is North Guanacaste's diving and boating hub, sitting right on the Gulf of Papagayo. Here is what is actually worth doing, from the Catalina and Bat Islands to a Papagayo sunset sail, with the verified operators who run each trip.

Playas del Coco Practical

SJO or Liberia: which airport should you fly into?

Costa Rica has two international airports on opposite sides of the country. Here is how to tell which one actually gets you to your trip faster.

Liberia Practical

Tipping, cash, and paying in Costa Rica: the money basics

Restaurants already add a mandatory service charge, USD is widely accepted, and cards work almost everywhere in tourist areas. Here is how paying actually works.

Playas del Coco Practical

Tamarindo vs Jacó vs Manuel Antonio: which beach town fits your trip

Three of Costa Rica's best-known beach towns, three very different trips. Here is how they actually compare on wildlife, nightlife, cost, and access.

Tamarindo Practical

Is Costa Rica safe? A practical guide for travelers

The real risk in Costa Rica is opportunistic theft, not violence. Here is what actually happens to tourists, the scams to know, and where to be more careful.

San José Practical

How many days do you need in Costa Rica?

Costa Rica looks compact on a map, but mountain roads change the math. Here is a realistic way to size your itinerary to your actual trip length.

Puerto Viejo Practical

Do you actually need a 4x4 rental car in Costa Rica?

No law requires a 4x4 in Costa Rica, but some roads make it worth the extra cost. Here is which zones genuinely need one and which do not.

Golfo Dulce Practical

Costa Rica visa and entry requirements for tourists

US, Canadian, EU, and UK travelers do not need a visa to visit Costa Rica, but a few entry details trip people up. Here is what the current rules actually say.

Flamingo Practical

When to visit Costa Rica: dry season vs green season by coast

Costa Rica has two seasons, but the Pacific and the Caribbean run on nearly opposite calendars. Here is what that actually means for your trip.

Monteverde Practical

Costa Rica's digital nomad visa: is it worth it?

A dedicated visa for remote workers with a $3,000-a-month income bar, tax breaks, and real paperwork. Here is who it actually makes sense for.

Nosara Practical

Car vs shuttle vs domestic flight: getting between zones in Costa Rica

Three ways to cover the distance between Costa Rica's regions, each with a different tradeoff between cost, time, and flexibility.

La Fortuna Practical

Manuel Antonio National Park: hours, tickets, and how to visit

The park sells tickets online only and closes one day a week. Here is how to book, when to go, and what you can and cannot bring.

Manuel Antonio Things to do

How sportfishing works in Costa Rica: seasons, boats, and booking

What you actually book, which fish run when, and why nearly everyone releases the billfish. A plain guide to a Costa Rica fishing day.

Manuel Antonio Practical

Do you need a fishing license in Costa Rica? How to get one before your charter

If you are fishing from a boat, you need a license. Some charters include it, some do not. Here is what it costs, how to buy it online, and the questions people ask at the marina.

Manuel Antonio Wildlife

When to see whales in Costa Ballena

The coast is named for the humpbacks, and they show up on a schedule. Here is when each season runs and how to pick a tour.

Costa Ballena Things to do

Learning to surf at Playa Guiones, Nosara

Playa Guiones is one of Costa Rica's most forgiving beach breaks, which is why Nosara became a place people come to learn. Here is how the wave works and what to know before your first session.

Nosara Practical

Santa Teresa logistics: getting there, cash, and medical help

Santa Teresa rewards you for the effort it takes to arrive. Here is the practical groundwork: the ferry route in, why you should bring cash, and where to go if something goes wrong.

Santa Teresa Practical

How to spend a San José layover without wasting it

Most travelers see San José only on the way in or out. Here is how to use a short stop in the capital instead of just sleeping through it.

San José Practical

Puerto Viejo and Cahuita: how the South Caribbean works

The South Caribbean runs on its own rhythm, from the rain calendar to the food to how you get around. Here is what to know before you go.

Puerto Viejo Things to do

Planning a first trip to the Monteverde cloud forest

What to expect from Monteverde's cloud forests, ziplines, and misty weather, plus how to get there and when to go.

Monteverde Practical

Landing at Liberia airport: what to do first

LIR puts you minutes from Guanacaste's capital. Here is how to handle the car, the cash, and the first night before you push on to the coast.

Liberia Things to do

Learning to surf in Tamarindo: what to know first

Tamarindo is where a lot of people catch their first wave. Here is how the beach works, what a lesson costs you, and where to go once you stand up.

Tamarindo Things to do

Learning to surf in Sámara: why the bay is so forgiving

Sámara's reef-protected bay turns out small, slow waves that suit beginners. Here is what makes it easy to learn, when to go, and how to spend your first week in the water.

Sámara Things to do

Learning to surf in Jacó: a first-timer's guide

Jacó's long, forgiving beach break is where a lot of people in Costa Rica catch their first wave. Here is what to expect from a first lesson and where the waves get harder.

Jacó Wellness

How to pick a hot spring in La Fortuna

Arenal heats more thermal water than anywhere in the country, from free rivers to resort spas. Here is how to choose the one that fits your trip.

La Fortuna Practical

Getting to the Golfo Dulce and Osa without losing a day

The southern corner of Costa Rica rewards the trip, but the logistics catch people out. Here is how to reach Golfito, Puerto Jiménez, Pavones, and Zancudo, and what to sort before you leave pavement behind.

Golfo Dulce Things to do

Four beaches, one bay: a guide to Flamingo and Conchal

Playa Flamingo, Conchal, Potrero, and Brasilito sit within a few minutes of each other on Guanacaste's Gold Coast. Here is how the four beaches differ and what each one is good for.

Flamingo Things to do

Diving the Catalina and Bat Islands from Playas del Coco

Playas del Coco is the launch point for North Guanacaste's two headline dive sites. Here is what the Catalina and Bat Islands actually offer, who each one suits, and when to go.

Playas del Coco Things to do

Five things to do in Manuel Antonio beyond the national park

The park is the headline, but the area earns a few days. Here is what to do once you have seen the sloths.

Manuel Antonio Getting here

San José to Manuel Antonio: private shuttle, rental car, or fly

It is about 150 km from the airport to the coast. The three ways worth your time are a private shuttle, a rental car, or the short flight into Quepos.

Manuel Antonio